Straw-stacker.



'Paten ted m. 26, I899. J. CHIAL.

STRAW STACKER.

(Application filed. July 11, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

15;; ig $flor9z ys,

J. CHIA L.

STRAW STACKER.

(Application'filed July 11, 1899.)

Patented Dec. 26,

MM Q UNITED STATES PATENT UFFICE.

JOHN CHIAL, OF LAKE PARK, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO N. E.ANDERSON, OF SAME PLACE.

STRAW-STACKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 639,71 1, datedDecember 26, 1899. Application filed July 11, 1899. Serial No. 723,471.(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN CHIAL, a citizen of the United States, residingat Lake Park, in the county of Becker and State of Minnesota, haveinvented a new and useful Straw- Stacker, of which the following isaspecificak tion.

- This invention relates to improvements in straw stackers for grainseparators and threshing-machines; and the primary object is to providea pneumatic mechanism adapt mechanical stacker for the purpose of conveying the straw to a distance without interfering with the necessaryoperations of the thresher or separator.

A further object is to provide an improved type of pneumatic-stackermechanism which may be folded or adjusted with an ordinary jointedendless stacker-conveyer, and one element of the pneumatic-stackermechanism is arranged to be folded upon the separator or thresher, so asto be out of the way and enable the endless conveyer to be usedindependently of the pneumatic appliances.

A further object of the invention is to ar-v range the parts for servicein a manner to blow away the straw which may have a tendency to returnwith the endless carrier, to make the idle returning length or lead ofthe endless carrier travel by without striking the blast-fan casing ofthe pneumatic stacker, and to insure a full supplyof air to theduplicate fan for increasing the capacity thereof, while at the sametime the fan-shaft is supported to run steadily and freely.

A further object of the invention is to provide a baffle-reel forretarding the energy of the blast at the deliverymouth of thestacker-tube for the purpose of regulating the distance to which thestraw may be blown, such baffle-reel being easily adjusted with relationto the delivery-mouth of the stackertube.

WVith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combinationof elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts,

which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed;

To enable others to understand the invention, a preferred embodimentthereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, and in which Figure 1 is a plan View of'the improvedpneumatic-stacker mechanism applied in operative relation to an ordinaryendless strawconveyer, which is shown as connected with the delivery endof a grain-separator. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectionalelevation on the plane indicated by the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig.3 is a vertical transverse section through the blast-fan and one memberof the ordinary stacker-frame, the plane of the section being indicatedby the dotted line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view ofthe adj ustablestacker-tube forming a part of the pneumatic-stackerappliance.

The same numerals of reference are used to indicate like andcorresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

Inorder that others skilled in the art may understand the manner ofusing my improved pneumatic-stacker mechanism, I have illus-' trated thesame in operative relation to an ordinary grain separator or thresherand a mechanically-driven endless straw stacker.

1O designates the rear end portion of aseparator or thresher providedwith the usual deck 11, on which are mounted the appliances for raisingor lowering the ordinary stackerframe of a mechanically-driven endlessstrawcarrier. The members 12 13 of this stackerframe are jointed orhinged together, as at 14, to enable them to be folded relatively one tothe other in the usual well-known way, and the inner member 12 of saidstackerframe is provided with hinge-castings 15, the latter beingloosely fitted on a carrier-driving shaft 16. This shaft is journaled ona part of the separator and is driven therefrom in a well-known manner,the shaft being provided with driving pulleys or sprockets 17. At theouter end of the member 13, forming a part of the stacker-frame, isjournaled an idle carrier-shaft 18, provided with the pulleys orsprockets 19, which serve to guide the chains or belts of an endlessstraw-conveyer.

The frame for the endless stacker-conveyer is supported and adjusted bythe usual cable 12*, which may be connected to a Windlass 12 on the deckof the separator; but as these parts may be of the usual or anypreferred construction I have not considered it necessary to more fullyillustrate or describe the same.

2O designates a pair of struts or bars which are applied to oppositesides of the member 12, forming a part of the stacker-frame, said strutsbeing secured firmly to the frame memin compact relation to thestacker-frame and its shaft may be supported by the struts or bars 20.The endless straw carrier or conveyer 23 consists of the usual belts orchains connected by the series of cross-slats 24, said endless carrierbeing operatively fitted to the shafts 16, 18, and 21 for propulsion bythe shaft 16, the idle shaft 21 serving to direct the slats on thereturning length or lead of the endless conveyer from striking againstthe fan-casing 25. This fan-casing is arranged between the fixed strut-sor bars 20 and also between the idle shaft 21 and the stackerframe, saidfan-casing being securedin place in any suitable way. The fan-casing isdivided in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the stacker-frame, soas to form a transverse opening 26, (clearly indicated by Fig. 3,) whichopening provides for the free ingress of air to the duplicate blast-fansat the middle of said fan-casing. The ends of the fan-casing havetheinlet-ports 2G, and in the slot 26 of said casing is arranged abearing-bar 27, the latter being fastened to the stacker-frame to lieparallel to the struts or bars 20. A fanshaft 28 extends centrallythrough the divided casing 25 and transversely across the stacker-frame,said fan-shaft beingjournaled in suitable bearings 20, which are securedin alined positions on the bars 20 27, thus supporting the fan-shaft atits middle portion, as well as at its end portions, for the purpose ofmaking the shaft run steadily in its bearings. The blast-fans 30 31 maybe of any suitable construction and are secured to the shaft 28, so asto lie within the members of the divided fan-casing. It is to beobserved that the fancasing and the fans therein extend the full widthof the stacker-frame and air-inlets are provided ateach end of thedivided fan-casing directly by a part of an ordinary stackerframe. Oneend of the fan-shaft is extended beyond a bearing 29 on an outer strutfor the reception of a pulley 32, the latter adapted to be propelled bya belt from the cylindershaft or other part of the separator orthresher.

33 designates the casin g for the wind-trunk 34., that leads from thecasing 25 of the blastfan. The members 12 13 of the stacker-frame areprovided with the bottom boards 35, and this wind-trunk casing 33 issecured to the stacker-frame and its bottom boards, so that the latterwill close the upper side of the windtrunk and form a part thereof. Thelower end of the wind-trunk is joined in a suitable way to the blast-fancasing, said Wind-trunk being of a length to extend to the outer end ofthe member 13, forming a part of the stacker-frame. It will thus beobserved that the blast of air from the duplicate fan is conveyed by thewind-trunk along the bottom of the stacker-frame and delivered at thepoint where the endless conveyer 23 travels around the stacker-frame onits return to the thresher or separator. This is one of the importantfeatures of this invention, because the blast from the wind-trunk isvery strong at this point, so that the straw which would have a tendencyto return with the carrier and clog up the space below the stacker-frameis thoroughly blown away from the carrier and its slats, whereby theunder side of the stackerframe is kept in a condition free fromaccumulation of straw. When the improved stacker mechanism is employedin connection with a jointed stacker-frame, it is found desirable tomake the wind-trunk 3-1 foldable with the sectional jointed frame, andto this end the windtrunk 34 has its casing divided, as at 36, on aplane coincident with the joint 14: between the members of thestacker-frame. The joint between the meeting edges of the dividedwind-trunk may be of any suitable character; but as the members 12 13 ofthe stacker-frame normally occupy an abutting relation at the joint 14:when the stacker frame is unfolded for use it will be seen that themembers of the divided wind-trunk may occupy a like relation one to theother when the stacker mechanism is in service, thus minimizing theleakage of air through the divided wind-trunk.

One of the important elements of the improved pneumatic -stackermechanism is a stacker-tube 37, which is fastened to embrace the outerend of the ordinary straw-conveyer and to lie in alinementwith thewind-trunk of the blast-fan, whereby this stacker-tube is adapted toreceive the straw from the endless carrier and the blast from thewind-trunk of the blast-fan, thus enabling the stacker-tube to carry thestraw away from the separator for any desired distance under the energyof the blast from the duplex fan. This stackertube is preferably,although not essentially, of metallic construction, said tube beingtapered and straight throughout its length to carry away the straw withmaximum efficiency by reason of the absence of angles or corners in theblast-passage of said tube. The stacker-tube may be of any desirablelength; but I prefer to make the tube with a flat bottom, convergingsides, and a rounded or curved top. By inclining the sides of thestacker-tube so as to converge toward the outer end thereof the innerend of the stackertube is formed with a wide receiving-mouth, the widthof which is equal to the width of the stacker-frame, while the depth ofthe receiving-mouth exceeds the depth of the stacker-frame. The outerend of the stackertube is curved, as at 38, to enable the gatevalves,presently described, to occupya compact relation thereto.

39 40 designate pairs of hinge-arms, which are secured firmly to theouter end of the stacker frame and the inner end of the stacker-tube,respectively, and the pair of arms on each side of the stacker tube andframe are inclined so as to overlap one another for the purpose ofpivotally connecting the arms by the bolts or pins 41. The stackertubeis thus hingedly connected to the stackerframe in a manner for said tubeto unfold in a position to assume an alined relation to thestacker-frame and the wind-trunk, whereby the wide broad mouth at theinner end of the stacker-tube may receive the straw from the endlessconveyer and the blast from the windtrunk, the inner end of thestacker-tube fitting closely around the sides of the stackerframe andthe casing 33 of the wind-trunk, so as to reduce the leakage of air. Thestacker-tube, which is hinged to the stackerframe, is adapted to beraised on the pivots 41 by a hoisting-cable 42, which is coiled on aWindlass 43, the latter being journaled in suitable supports on the deckof the threshing-machine.

44 45 designate the gate-valves, which are curved to conform to thedelivery-mouth 38 of the stacker-tube, each valve being hinged thereto,as at 46. The valves are adapted to be forced to their open positions bythe blast and straw passing through the stacker-tube; but under someconditions it is desirable to control the gates independently and toclose or partly close one or the other of the gates for the purpose ofdirecting the straw in one direction laterally of the stacker-tube, soas to deliver more straw to one side of the stack than to the other. Tothis end the operatingcables 47 are employed, saidcables having theirouter ends fastened individually to the gates at the free ends'thereof.The cables pass through a common guide 48, which is fastened to thewind-tube at the middle thereof, and from thence each cable is ledthrough anotherguide 49,fastened near one edge of the stacker-tube, theouter ends of the cables being crossed, as shown. Said cables extend tothe deck of the threshing-machine, or they may extend only to thestacker-frame, the in- 'conveyer.

ner ends of the cables being fastened to asuitable cleat or otherwiseconfined in place.

From the foregoing description, taken .in connection with the drawings,it will be observed that I have provided a blast-fan and a wind-trunkfor use in connection with an ordinary jointed and shiftablestacker-frame which carries an endless stacker-conveyer, said blast-fanbeing carried by one member of the stacker-frame. The wind-trunk isdivided in a plane coincident with the joint of the stacker-frame, so asto be foldable with the latter, and this wind-trunk is arranged todeliver the air-blast at the delivery end of the endlessstacker-conveyer, whereby the blast carries away the straw which mayhave a tendency to return with the under lead or length of the endlessconveyer. In connection with the mechanically-operated endless stackerand with the blast devices I have associated a pneumatic stacker-tube,which may be adjusted to prolong the length of the stacker mechanism forthe purpose of conveying the straw bythe energy of the air-blast afterthe straw has been discharged from the endless To adjust the pneumaticstackertube into cooperative relation with the endless conveyer, it isnecessary to arrange the stacker-tube substantially in alinement withthe stacker-frame and the endless conveyer in order that the air-blastand the straw may enter the stacker-tube at a common point; but, as hasbeen explained, the stacker-tube may be raised so as to be out ofalinement with the endless conveyer, so that the straw may be dischargedupon the pile directly from the endless stacker.

50 designates a baffle-reel, consisting of a series of blades arrangedradially with respect to a common shaft 51, to which said blades aresecured in a suitable way. This reel-shaft is journaled in bearings onthe parallel arms- 52, which are secured to a horizontal rockshaft 53,the latter being journaled in bearings 54 on the stacker-tube. The endsof the rock-shaft are prolonged beyond the sides of the stacker-tube,sothat the arms 52 may work or play freely without striking thestackertube when raising or lowering the baffle-reel. The arms 52 extendforward from the rockshaft for suitable distances to support thebaffle-reel beyond the delivery-mouth of the stacker-tube, saidbaffle-reel being supported by the arms in a position at right angles tothe longitudinal axis of the stacker mechanism. The rock-shaft 53 has acrank-arm 55, to the extremity of which is fastened an adjusting-cable56, the latter being confined on or clamped to a device on the deck ofthe threshing-machine or on the stacker-frame. The rock-shaft may turnin its bearings under the weight of the reel to allow the arms todescend for the purpose of inter-posing the reel in the path of theblast and the straw issuing from the stacker-tube, whereby the reel willbe rotated under the energy of the dent that by lowering the reelsufficiently to interrupt the blast and cause the straw to impingeforcibly against the reel the blast can not throw the straw for anyconsiderable dis tance beyond undesirable limits; but'when the reel isinterposed only partly in the path of the blast the latter will carrythe straw farther from the stacker-tube,because the-energy of the blastwill not be entirely broken up by impact against the reel. The reel isadapted to be rotated by the energy of the blast to make itself-clearing,thus minimizing any tendency of the reel to becomeclogged.

Although the pneumatic stacker mechanism is shown anddescribedinconnection with a jbinted' two-part stacker-frame, it is-not desired :tolimit the invention to a mechanicallyoperated stacker of this type,because the pneumatic stacker may be used in connection with asingle-section jointless mechanical stacker-as, for instance,withthesection 12* and a conveyer adapted thereto.

One of the important advantages obtained by a wind-stacker used inconnection with a mechanically-operated endless conveyer re sides in thefact that the pneumatic appliances are not so closely related andconnected with the separator or thresher as to interfere with theoperation of the elemental parts of such separator. The separator isopen at its delivery end for the free escape therefrom of the chaff andstraw which lodge upon the endless conveyer mechanism, the latterserving to carry the straw and chad to the outer end of thestacker-frame and to deposit the same in the path of astrong blastissuing from the wind-trunk of the blast-fan. The straw is thusdelivered into the wide mouth of the stacker-tube, and the energy of theblast is utilized to convey the straw through the stacker-tube, thelatter discharging the straw at the desired place of deposit remote fromthe separatoror thresher.

Under some conditions it is desirable to use the endless carriermechanism independently of the pneumatic stacker devices. For attainingthis end the belt which drives the fanshaft may he slipped oh the pulley32 and the Windlass 43 may be rotated to elevate the stacker-tubeandfold the latter upon the deck of the threshing-machine. In thisoperation of elevating the stacker-tube the hinge-arms 39 40 coacttolift the inner end of the stackertube above the outer end of thestacker-frame, thus permitting the straw to be discharged from theendless carrier without hindrance from the pneumatic stacker appliances.

Changes may be made in the form and proportion of some of the parts,while their essential features are retained and the spiritof theinvention embodied. Hence it is not desired to be limited to the preciseform of all the parts as shown, reserving the right to Vary therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In astraw-stacker substantially such as described, the combination with anendless mechanically-driven conveyer extending beyond the delivery endof a threshing-machine or separator, and a frame for said conveyer, of ablast-fan arranged to deliver a blast of air at the delivery-point ofsaid endless conveyer, and a pneumatic stacker-tube supported on saidconveyer-frame substantially in alinement with theconveyer and havingits receiving-mouth embracingthe delivery end of said conveyer and thepoint of discharge of the blast-fan, substantially as'and for thepurposes set forth.

2. In a straw-stacker substantially such as described, the combinationwith a stackerframe extending beyond the delivery end of thethreshing-machine or separator and an endless conveyer thereon, of awind-trunk supported by said conveyer-frame and extending longitudinallythereof, a blast fan adapted to deliver an air-blast to said windtrunk,and a stacker-tube supported in alinement with the wind-trunk andtheendless conveyer for cooperation therewith and adapted to prolong thelength of the stacker mech= anism beyond the threshing-machine, saidstacker-tube receiving the contents of the endless conveyer and theblast from the windtrunk, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

3. In a straw-stacker substantially suchas described, the combinationwith a conveyerframe and an endless conveyer thereon, of a blast-fansupported by said frame, a windtrunk supported by and extendinglongitudinally of the conveyer-frame and communicating with said fan andterminating at the point of delivery of the conveyer, and a straightstacker-tube arranged in alinement with the endless conveyer and thewind-trunk to prolong the stacker mechanism beyond thethreshing-machine, said stacker-tube being mounted on or carried by thestacker-frame and receiving at a common point the blast from thewind-trunk and the contents of the conveyer, as and for the purposes setforth.

4. In a straw-stacker substantiallysuch as described, the combinationwith a stackerframe and an endless conveyer supported thereby, of ablast-fan, awind-trunk communicating with said fan and supported by thestacker-frame to extend from said fan-casing and terminating at thedelivery-point of the conveyer, and a tapering stacker-tube mounted onthe stacker-frame substantially in alinement with the endless conveyerand the windtrunk, to receive the load of the conveyer and the blastfrom the wind-trunk at a common point, substantially as set forth.

5. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a stacker-frame, and aconveyer thereon, of a blast-fan, a wind-trunk, a stacker-tube turningon a horizontal'axis aEorded by a hinged connection with saidstacker-frame and adj ustable thereon into alinement with said conveyerand the wind-trunk, and means for elevating the stacker-tubeirrespective of any movement of the stacker-frame, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a straw-stacker, the combination of a stacker-frame, and anendless conveyer, of a blast-fan, a wind-trunk, a stackentube, andhinge-arms attached to the stacker-frame and the stacker-tuberespectively, and said arms pivoted together for elevating thestackertu'be above the plane of discharge of the conveyer, substantiallyas described.

7. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a jointed stacker-frame, andan endless conveyer, of a fan supported on one member ofthestacker-frame, a divided wind-trunk extending from the fan-casing tothe point of discharge of the conveyer, and said windtrunk foldable withthe stacker-frame, and an adjustable stacker-tube carried by saidstacker-frame, substantially as described.

8. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a jointed stacker-frame, andan endless conveyer, of a blast-fan supported on one member ofi saidstacker-frame, a divided windtrunk extending from the fan-casing to thepoint of delivery of the conveyer, the division in the Wind-trunk beingcoincident with the joint in the stacker-frame, and an adjustablestacker-tube mounted on the stackerframe, substantially as described.

9. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a jointed stacker-frame, andan endless couveyer thereon, of struts or bars fixed to the inner memberof saidstacker-frame, a blastfan having its casing supported between thestruts or bars and its shaft jonrnaled in bearings thereon, a jointedwind-trunk secured to the under side of the stacker-frame to be foldabletherewith, and a stacker-tube having a hinged connection with thestacker-frame and adjustable in alinement with the wind-trunk and saidendless conveyer, substantially as described.

10. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a jointed stacker-frame andan endless conveyer, of a transversely-divided fan-casing supportedbythe inner member of the stackerframe and with the respective membersof said casing provided with air-inlets at each end thereof, a fan-shaftextending through said divided casing, fans on said shaft, a dividedwind-trunk supported on the under side of the stacker-frame incommunication with both members of the divided fan-casing, and astacker-tube mounted on the stackerframe in alinement with the endlessconveyer and the wind trunk, substantially as described.

11. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a jointed stacker-frame, ofdepending struts fast therewith, a fan-casin g supported bysaid strutson the under side of the stacker-frame, a jointed wind-trunk secured tothe stackerframe to be foldable therewith and communicating with saidcasing, a fan-shaft jour naled in the struts and carrying the fans, anidle shaft jonrnaled on said struts below the fan'casing, an endlessconveyer traversing the frame and guided by the idle shaft below thefan-casing, and a stacker-tube mounted on the stacker-framesubstantially in alinement with the endless conveyer and the windtrunk,substantially as described.

12. In a straw-stacker, the combination of a pneumatic stacker-tube, thegates hinged thereto, a revoluble baffle-reel having the blades, andmeans for supporting said reel beyond the gates of the stacker-tube andin the path of the blast therefrom, substantially as described.

13. In a straw-stacker, the combination of a stacker-tube, the gateshinged thereto, a rock-shaft mounted on said tube and provided with anoperating-arm, 55, and with the pair of supporting-arms, 52, the latterextending beyond the gates, a baffle reel revolubly mounted in the arms,52, foradjustment with the rock-shaft and supported in advance of saidgates, and means for rocking the shaft to shift the position of thebaffle-reel with relation to the tube, substantially as described.

14. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a pneumatic stacker-tube,of the independently-h ung gates at the delivery-mouth thereof, andoperating-cables connected individually with said gates and arranged toclose the gates separately against the action of the blast thereon,substantially as described.

15. In a straw-stacker, the combination with a mechanically-drivenstacker-conveyer extending beyond the delivery end of athreshing-machine or separator, of a blast-fan arranged to deliver ablast at the point of discharge of said stacker-conveyer, and astackertube supported substantially in alinement with thestacker-conveyer and prolonging the total length of the combinedelements of the stacker mechanism, said stacker-tube arranged to receivethe load from the stackerconveyer and the blast from the said fan at acommon point, as and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myown I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN CHIAL.

Witnesses:

JOHN BEGGIN, A. O. HOUGLUM.

IIO

